SWG and Puck Feeder?

[catnip]

I've read quite a bit on this forum about the dangers of mixing various forms of chlorine in the same feeder mechanism, but I haven't seen this question discussed before: Is it OK to have a puck feeder (Rainbow) in line with a SWG?

I ask this because I'm considering leaving the current puck feeder in line as a backup source of continuous chlorine in case my (about to be installed) SWG fails for some reason and has to be out of service for a while. I need some form of continuous feeder because I'm away from the pool for days at a time.

As an alternative to leaving the puck feeder in line, I've thought of fitting it with unions and just swapping out the SWG and screwing in the puck feeder in its place.

Thanks for any insight anyone has on this!

[CanuckPool]

why dont you run a bypass line that has the puck feeder in parallel. A valve that can divert water pass the SWG to the feeder instead of disconnecting and reconnecting.

SWG's seem pretty reliable to me, and if your power fails while you're away you pump wont be running anyways so it kinda kills the solution that a puck feeder would provide.

[CarlD]

If a puck feeder sits with water and a puck in it, it may well clog up.

There are myriad reasons why I do not advocate puck feeders, the biggest is that it tempts you to keep using the pucks when it's bad for your pool.

My suggestion: Yank the feeder out and use the fittings for the SWG. Meanwhile, if you are worried about the SWG failing, buy a $10 floater with adjustable openings and use THAT if the SWG fails and you can't be there to add bleach.

[CanuckPool]

Or if you know you're going to be away for a couple of days why don't you just ramp up your SWG to produce a bit more chlorine and then right before you leave reduce it back down... or shock the pool with bleach before you leave... if your SWG decides to pooch it the second you walk out the door I think you should have enough chlorine reserve to keep you out of trouble for two days.

[catnip]

Thanks for the replies. I think the floater sounds like the best alternative if the SWG dies. I'd rather not have to bump the chlorine up with the SWG "just in case" every time I leave.

I didn't see anyone comment on the safety of have a SWG and puck feeder in the same line. Though I don't think I will do that now, I'd still be interested to know if doing so would be a safety issue.

[CanuckPool]

Would you have them running at the same time or one or the other... not that I have the answer to your safety question.

[tphaggerty]

Forget the floater, buy and store a few bottles of bleach. I do that anyway (most SWG users do) for very heavy loads (such as spring pollen season). If your SWG goes bad, you can easily maintain your pool using BBB for as long as it takes to get it fixed.

[CanuckPool]

I think he is talking about when he is away if it breaks since there will be no one home to pour the bleach.

[catnip]

Canuck, you are correct. I need a way to feed chlorine for up to a week while I'm away and the SWG is out of service. Obviously, if the SWG breaks while I'm gone, I'm out of luck until I get back, clean up any bad things that may have happened and then get the backup feeder going for any more away trips. I agree BBB would be the best choice while I'm home, but I need a backup method that can hold things for a week which I can invoke quickly.

[Poolsean]

wow...sorry for my surprise at your question. But, do you have a second pump in case your main pump goes out while you're away?
Salt systems have been around for quite a while and should not have to have a back up source of chlorine, just in case the salt system fails.
To answer your question, there is no problem with having a salt system and a tri-chlor feeder operating together. I would recommend, as was previously recommended, that the tab feeder and salt cell be plumbed parallel to one another.
Most systems have a Boost mode. Simply activate a boost mode before you leave so additional chlorine can be fed into the pool before you leave and should provide additional chlorine in the event that the salt system fails. The additional chlorine should keep algae at bay while you are away.

[catnip]

Sean, I suppose I'm being a little "belt and suspenders" on this. I'm new to the SWG game and given the highly corrosive salt air environment when we have our pool, I prone to looking for worst case backup scenarios, e.g. outside AC units usually last no more than 5 years. Re the second pump, those are easy to come by locally, so I'm not quite so paranoid there. Not having had a SWG before, I think I'm just trying to foresee all the possible scenarios and how I would deal with them. And having an alternative chlorine feeder seemed like an easy fix. But I think you are suggesting that the great reliability and service of Pool Pilot means I need not worry!!

[Poolsean]

Exactly! lol
I would agree with everyone else though. Just bump up your chlorine level before your trip. With sufficient chlorine levels (AND STABILIZER), the chlorine residual will last a week or more before algae starts to grow.
You may also consider a preventative algaecide. There are some that lasts 3 months and will prevent algae from growing when there is insufficient chlorine levels.

A few jugs of bleach will allow you quick correction in the event that you do have a problem when you return.

[CarlD]

Forget the floater, buy and store a few bottles of bleach. I do that anyway (most SWG users do) for very heavy loads (such as spring pollen season). If your SWG goes bad, you can easily maintain your pool using BBB for as long as it takes to get it fixed.

Look, I hardly EVER use a floater. But if someone wants peace of mind about an SWG failing while he's away, I think a floater set to min chlorine is a heckuva lot better than an in-line puck chlorinator. It costs all of $10. --less than the bypass fittings originally discussed. It's simple, it's easy, it can be pulled out instantly.

I live and preach B-B-B but if you are going away, it's tricky to use bleach without an assistant or a peristaltic pump. Some have done it by putting a tiny hole in a bleach bottle and tying it to a ladder--but I haven't tried that. For a short time, a floater is a cheap, effective way to leave your pool.

[waterbear]

Poolsean, I would have to give a caution about the 3 month algaecide. I don't care what brand or manufacuters it is....it is going to be a copper algaecide!

Catnip, personally I wouldn't worry. IF the worse case scenerio happens that the SWG (or pump) fails (or the power goes off) while you are away it's really not a big deal to hit the pool with bleach and clear it. While you are doing that you can order any replacement parts that your need. I would suspect that they would be available locally without much problem! I believe you are in Marietta. GA. I am sure that ANY parts for a SWG would be available in Atlanta proper if you cound not get them more locally.(If I am not mistaken you are considered to be part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. I have a nephew in Woodstock. :)) I live in St. Augustine, FL (want to talk corrosive environment? I live less than one block from both the Atlantic and the Intercoastal Waterway on the barrier island! Salt spray is a FACT of life here!:eek:) and I have NEVER had to go to Jacksonville to get anything for my pool. Our pool stores (inlcuding the one I work at) are serviced by the SAME distributors as the ones in Jacksonville. I suspect much the same exists in your area.

IMHO, put in the SWG, relax and enjoy it, and if in the rare event it malfunctions deal with it then! Like Poolsean said, you don't keep a backup pump and filter on hand. IMHO, I would be more likely to keep a few Jandy type valves, skimmer baskets, and multiport spider gaskets on hand. These are parts that are more likely to fail in my opinion.

[tphaggerty]

CarlD - you're right, floaters are cheap! My point was pretty much like everyone else made - there are LOTS of things that can go bad while away on vacation, why single out the SWG!

I think the nut of the question/comment was that SWGs are more likely to fail than other components in our pool systems and I don't think that is true. If it makes them feel good to have a backup, great.

[catnip]

Waterbear, PoolSean, CarlD, et al, thanks for your wisdom on this. Actually, my original question was slightly different, but you answers were all helpful.

The original question dealt with any danger associated with leaving a puck tri-chlor feeder in line with an about to be installed SWG system with the puck feeder to be used as a backup in case the SWG had to be out of service for more than a few days. As I said, I'm away from the pool for many days at at time and, unfortunately, up to now I've had to rely on the puck feeder when I'm gone. So, I was looking for a way to quickly switch back to the puck feeder until I have the opportunity to get the SWG up and running again.

Based on all your responses, I think I'll remove the puck feeder and fit it with a pair of unions such that it's an easy drop-in replacement for the SWG cell. Total Cost = $15.

RE: replacement parts for the SWG; none of the local NW Florida (that's where my pool is located) pool stores nor distributors (as far as I can tell) carry the Auto Pilot line and I suspect there isn't a service center within 50 miles either. Conversely, I can get a pump, filter and other common parts within a hour. So, that's why I'm being a bit conservative in looking for a backup for the SWG.

Again, thanks all for your feedback, ideas and suggestions!